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January 4, 1971

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, January 4, 1971, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Sunday, January 3, 1971

Next Date: Tuesday, January 5, 1971

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

    No Federal Register published on this date

Archival Holdings

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • Annotated News Summaries, Box 29, News Summaries - January 1971 [During this period, the Staff Secretary only removed pages from the News Summaries which contained President Nixon's handwriting, often leaving the document with no date. In addition to the individual document(s) listed below, you should also consult the full folder for the month.]
      • [1/4/71]

    President's Personal File

    The President's Personal File is essentially a President's secretary's file, kept by Rose Mary Woods, personal secretary to the President, for two purposes: (1) preserving for posterity a collection of documents particularly close to the President, whether because he dictated or annotated them, or because of the importance of the correspondent or the event concerned and (2) giving appropriate attention–letters of gratitude, invitations to White House social events, and the like–to members and important friends and supporters of the Nixon administration. This generalization does not describe all the varied materials of a file group which is essentially a miscellany, but it does identify the reason for the existence of the file group's core. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
      Monday, January 4.

      Big day for the television conversation. The President spent the entire day locked up in the EOB. And only called over a couple of times to get some statistics and other information.

      He did in one call, however, get into a discussion of his concern about the Tony Lake situation. Wanted me to talk to Haig, following up the President's conversation with Henry yesterday, saying on the Lake matter. Henry told the President that Lake didn't leave because of Cambodia, but because of disagreement on domestic policies. The President thinks there's more to this than appears on the surface, and he wants to know what the situation really is with him. He's concerned because he was Henry's closest confidant and he wants to know why he really left; so he's asked that Haig, Kissinger, and I meet tomorrow in California and develop a plan, and then get to the President Wednesday morning on it. He's afraid that Lake could expose the whole Paris thing and would destroy the Administration internally, because, if this came out, Rogers would quite likely feel that he had to resign in protest to the President, for having this kind of thing conducted without Rogers' knowledge. He feels that Henry's got to work out a way to tell Rogers about this and get the thing set up so that if the word does come out, either through Lake or indirectly through Harriman, that we'll be covered. He also had a few things for California scheduling thoughts and the plan for tomorrow before we leave.

      The show tonight was excellent. The President did a good job. He spent an hour and half after the program on the telephone. He finally checked with me and I gave him the rundown on comments, etcetera. He seemed to be pleased, although he professed to think that it had been too long and dull. I don't think he really felt that way, but decided he ought to say so anyhow. In any event, all of our people seem to think it was his best effort so far. So, overall, it was a great success.

      End of January 5 [January 4] and end of this reel of tape.
    • Original audio recording (MP3)

  • The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings.

    The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

  • The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. IV, Foreign Assistance, International Development, Trade Policies, 1969-1972

    Foreign Assistance Policy, 1969-1972

    Vol. V, United Nations, 1969-1972

    U.S. Position Papers and Assessments of General Assembly Sessions

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    India and Pakistan: Pre-Crisis, January 1969-February 1971

    • 107. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, January 4, 1971

      Nixon approved the provision of an additional 150,000 tons of food grains to East Pakistan for disaster relief.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 624, Country Files, Middle East, Pakistan, Vol. III, 1 Oct 70–28 Feb 71. Secret. Sent for action. Haig signed for Kissinger. A notation on the memorandum indicates that the President saw it. Nixon initialed his approval of the recommendation. Attached but not published at Tab A was a memorandum from Williams to Nixon sent through Kissinger for the President on December 23 under a covering memorandum from Eliot. Attached but not published at Tab B was the proposed press release. Not attached at Tab C was the draft letter. The Pakistan Relief Committee was established on November 26 and chaired by former Ambassador Robert Murphy.

    Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

    Jamaica

    • 421. Telegram 7 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State, January 4, 1971, 2251Z., January 4, 1971, 2251Z

      The Embassy reported that in separate conversations Prime Minister Shearer, opposition leader Michael Manley, and high-ranking members of the Jamaican Government told the Ambassador that if foreign-owned bauxite companies in Guyana capitulated in negotiations with the Burnham Government, then internal political pressures would force Jamaica to make similar arrangements with the bauxite industry.

      Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15 JAM. Confidential. Repeated to Georgetown and Port-au-Spain. In telegram 50 from Kingston, the Embassy reported that a bauxite industry principal informed the Ambassador about “the degree to which the companies were cooperating in their mutual problems here in Jamaica.” (Ibid.)

  • The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

    Digitized versions can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

Audiovisual Holdings

  • The White House Photo Office collection consists of photographic coverage of President Richard Nixon meeting with prominent social, political, and cultural personalities; speaking engagements and news conferences of the President and various high-ranking members of the White House staff and Cabinet; Presidential domestic and foreign travel, including Presidential vacations; social events and entertainment involving the First Family, including entertainers present; official portraits of the President, First Family, and high-ranking members of the Nixon administration; the 1969 and 1973 Inaugurals; the President’s 1972 Presidential election campaign appearances (including speeches) and other official activities of the White House staff and the President’s Cabinet from January 20, 1969 until August 9, 1974 at the White House and the Old Executive Office Building; other locations in Washington, DC, such as The Mall; and the Presidential retreats in Camp David, Maryland, Key Biscayne, Florida, and San Clemente, California. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    Roll WHPO-5427 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5427-03-22, President Nixon sitting during a televised "Conversation with the President," with news commentators John Chancellor of NBC, Eric Sevareid of CBS, Howard K. Smith of ABC, and Nancy R. Dickerson of PBS. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, John Chancellor, Eric Sevareid, Howard K. Smith, Nancy Dickerson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5427-09, President Nixon sitting during a televised "Conversation with the President," with news commentators John Chancellor of NBC, Eric Sevareid of CBS, Howard K. Smith of ABC, and Nancy R. Dickerson of PBS. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, John Chancellor, Eric Sevareid, Howard K. Smith, Nancy Dickerson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5427-19, President Nixon sitting during a televised "Conversation with the President," with news commentators John Chancellor of NBC, Eric Sevareid of CBS, Howard K. Smith of ABC, and Nancy R. Dickerson of PBS. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, John Chancellor, Eric Sevareid, Howard K. Smith, Nancy Dickerson.

    Roll WHPO-5428 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5428-03-24, President Nixon sitting during a televised "Conversation with the President," with news commentators John Chancellor of NBC, Eric Sevareid of CBS, Howard K. Smith of ABC, and Nancy R. Dickerson of PBS. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, John Chancellor, Eric Sevareid, Howard K. Smith, Nancy Dickerson.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5428-19A, President Nixon sitting during a televised "Conversation with the President," with news commentators John Chancellor of NBC, Eric Sevareid of CBS, Howard K. Smith of ABC, and Nancy R. Dickerson of PBS. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, Library. President Nixon, John Chancellor, Eric Sevareid, Howard K. Smith, Nancy Dickerson.

    Roll WHPO-5429 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5429-02-20, Julie Eisenhower at the White House with a group of students and their chaperones. Photo assignment was moved to the White House "F" Permanent File collection. Given number F-967. It was never in NARA's possession. Print 11 (only) available in the WHPO collection, at the Nixon Library. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. White House, State Dining Room. Julie Eisenhower, students, adults.

    Roll WHPO-5430 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5430-06-11, No negatives - contact sheet only., White House Gift Items in display cases. 1/4/1971, Washington, D.C. unknown.

  • The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    P - Formal Presidential Remarks

    • WHCA-SR-P-710101
      TV conversation with 4 reporters [see I-55]. (1/4/1971)

      Runtime: 56:58:00

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

  • The White House Communications Agency Videotape Collection contains “off-the-air” recordings of televised programs produced between 1968 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • WHCA-4075
      "A Conversation With the President".
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 01:05:20
    • WHCA-4076
      Weekly News Summary Week, Tape I.
      ALL NETWORKS
      Runtime: 1:00

      5. Reasoner/Shoumacher: Welfare. Time Code Start: 08:04. Keywords: Family Assistance Programs, government aid, financial aid, health and welfare assistance, financial aid. Network: ABC.

      6. Smith/Gill: President Nixon and Blacks. Time Code Start: 10:30. Keywords: African Americans, Presidents. Network: ABC.

      7. Geer: Hyden, Kentucky mine disaster (Hurricane Creek Mine Disaster). Time Code Start: 12:34. Keywords: Mining, miners, coal, explosions, disasters, deaths, accidents. Network: ABC.

      8. Smith: Commentary on talking with President Nixon, "A Conversation with the President". Time Code Start: 15:06. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, television, TV. Network: ABC.

      9. Plante: Hijack prevention program. Time Code Start: 16:58. Keywords: hijackings, skyjackings, kidnappings, terrorism, aircraft, airlines, police, security. Network: CBS.

      10. Collingwood: "A Conversation with the President". Time Code Start: 19:02. Keywords: Presidents, media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews, television, TV. Network: CBS.

      11. Walker: Hyden, Kentucky mine disaster (Hurricane Creek Mine Disaster). Time Code Start: 19:58. Keywords: Mining, miners, coal, explosions, disasters, deaths, accidents. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)